By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, April 8 — The state government has allocated RM1.7 million for the Selangor Indian Empowerment and Entrepreneurs Development (i-SEED) programme, says state executive councillor for socio-economic development V Ganabatirau.
He said the programme aims at improving the economic status of the Indian community by providing equipment assistance based on the type of business.
“We welcome low-income Indian community (B40 group) aged 25 years old and above, who just started or already own a business, to apply for this i-SEED fund.
“Applications can be made through community heads or the respective village heads. Those who are eligible will be given equipment assistance with a maximum limit of RM10,000,” he said after launching the i-SEED Unit at the Annexe Hall, here yesterday.
Also present were Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) chief executive officer Norita Mohd Sidek and State Economic Planning Unit (Sectoral Section) deputy director Muhammad Heeza Hassan.
At the same time, Ganabatirau said he hopes that the recipients of the assistance would cooperate well and conduct their business with integrity.
“We will assess eligible traders and go down to their area to make sure they really have a business and are not abusing the equipment provided,” he added.
Among the requirements to apply for i-SEED include a Selangor citizen or resident for more than 10 years, individuals and households earning below RM3,000 per month and their businesses must be operating in the state.
Other requirements stated include the business must be active and consistent, the applicant or spouse (husband/wife) has never received equipment assistance under the Selangor State Poverty Eradication Blueprint Assistance programme or the Selangor Micro Entrepreneur Fund programme.
